The centre-forward has been offered a new contract which chairman Rod Stitch describes as, 'a much improved deal' but Tait is stalling on a decision in order to keep his options open.

He will be able to move on a free transfer in the summer but admits leaving The Drill Field will be a wrench.

The 24-year-old, who has scored 41 goals from 116 starts, said: "I have had enquiries from league clubs who have wanted me to sign for them before the end of the season, which I didn't want to do.

"I want to see out the campaign and weigh up my options in the summer but I do want to fulfill my ambition of playing in the league. It will be hard to leave though, because I've really enjoyed my time here."

Mr Stitch said: "We realise there is a good chance we are going to lose Paul. We are powerless to keep him at the club if he wants to go."

There was some good news this week for manager Mark Gardiner though. Darren Vicary and Ian Cooke have signed two year extensions to their contracts, while Mark Devlin has signed until the end of next season. Only Tait and Dean Greygoose have yet to put pen to paper.

The transfer deadline is Thursday, March 25 and manager Mark Gardiner hasn't ruled out the possibility of making a signing.

He said: "We are always on the look-out for new players but we are not in a position to bid at the moment, which restricts our options."

It is in attack where Gardiner is most likely to focus his efforts, with Carwyn Williams now playing for Runcorn, Nathan Peel cup-tied from the Trophy and Ian Cooke unable to play every game due to a knee injury.

But chairman Rod Stitch has warned against rushed signings.

"If we bring anybody in before the deadline it will have to be somebody on a free who isn't cup-tied, which makes it highly unlikely. Mark and I have discussed the situation and it is more likely we will wait until the summer."

As for this weekend's trip to Farnborough, Ian Cooke is going to have to play from the start. With Paul Tait and Nathan Peel suspended, Cooke will be partnered up front by Neil Illman, with both players hoping to earn a place in the side for the Kingstonian FA Umbro Trophy game.

WITTON Albion's future is looking brighter after a massive surge in the sale of shares.

Chief Executive Mike Worthington said: "In the last week we have sold almost £10,000 worth of shares. We have also registered 22 life members."

That amounts to £32,000, more than half of the total required to save the club. Mr Worthington has made an informal proposal to the club's main creditor, the Inland Revenue. Should that proposal be accepted a six week legal procedure will be put into operation which will then be voted on by the creditors and the shareholders.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.